Variables

Programming basics

The official definition: in computer programming, a variable is a storage location paired with an associated symbolic name (an identifier) which contains a value.

In other words, a variable is a storage location for data. Variables have names. Some computer language mandate you assign a data type to variables. When asked for the "official definition" (or best definition) please use the definition stated above.

Different programming languages assign variables in different ways. In general, though, there are three parts to setting a variable:

NAME of the variable   | an ASSIGNMENT OPERATOR  | the VALUE of the variable

for example:

AGE = 17

In the example above, the NAME of the variable is "AGE". The assignment operator is = and the VALUE of the variable is 17.

Variables in Python

name = "Mr. MacKenty"
position  = "Teacher"

# in the example above, we have a variable with the name "name" and the '''value''' of that variable is a string, "Mr. MacKenty"
# there is also a variable named "position" and the value of that variable is "Teacher". In memory, a section of memory has been reserved for a variable with the name "name" and "position".  

# variables can change. For example, if we wanted to change the variable position, we could simply: 

position = "New Teacher"

# now the value of "position" is "New Teacher".

See also

You should also look at:

Standards

• Define the terms: variable, constant, operator, object.

Give the precise meaning of a word, phrase, concept or physical quantity.